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Monthly Archives: June 2014

Many hours have passed since the Supreme Court made its ruling on the Hobby Lobby case. And as we all know, the Leftist media and Twitterverse has been apoplectic since then, spewing the same tired invective that it usually does when a ruling like this doesn’t go its way. Let’s take a look at a few of the key themes that are out there today, shall we?

First, we have the “denying access to birth control” meme, perpetuated by none other than Senator Elizabeth Warren:

Can’t believe we live in a world where we’d even consider letting big corps deny women access to basic care based on vague moral objections.

That’s a pretty entertaining tweet right there – she could be a success at stand-up. First off, Liz, “big corps” are not what this ruling was about. The SCOTUS decision pertains specifically to “closely held corporations”. These are generally (but obviously not universally, given the size of Hobby Lobby) smaller companies that are controlled by 5 or fewer individuals. And this is not some sort of made-up phrase – it is specifically defined by none other than the IRS. You know, that government agency that preys on conservative groups. Now the “restriction” to closely-held corporations does make it a pretty wide-ranging decision, since around 90% of U.S. corporations fall into this category, although only a small majority of American workers are employed by such firms.

Now about that “vague moral objections” and the oft-screeched “companies can’t impose their religion on their employees!!11!” theme – Liz, once again, you and your ilk missed the boat on the ruling. This is not about birth control and “vague moral objections”. This is a specific objection to abortiofacient drugs. Hobby Lobby provides coverage for birth control today. What they object to – and this isn’t vague at all – is abortion, and in this case, that the government was forcing them to fund abortion. And the court ruled that they did not have to provide access to those specific drugs.

But let’s pretend the ruling allowed them to not pay for any kind of birth control, abortiofacient or not. Even after this ruling, no one is preventing a single female from accessing these drugs. Their doctors can prescribe them, they …read more

Nature, it is said, abhors a vacuum. The aphorism applies as equally to politics as it does to science. Back in 2011, the New Yorker had this insightful article on Obama’s disinterested foreign policy:

Nonetheless, Obama may be moving toward something resembling a doctrine. One of his advisers described the President’s actions in Libya as “leading from behind.” That’s not a slogan designed for signs at the 2012 Democratic Convention, but it does accurately describe the balance that Obama now seems to be finding. It’s a different definition of leadership than America is known for, and it comes from two unspoken beliefs: that the relative power of the U.S. is declining, as rivals like China rise, and that the U.S. is reviled in many parts of the world. Pursuing our interests and spreading our ideals thus requires stealth and modesty as well as military strength. “It’s so at odds with the John Wayne expectation for what America is in the world,” the adviser said. “But it’s necessary for shepherding us through this phase.”

The net result of Barack Obama’s “leading from behind” has been a vacuum that our adversaries have rushed to fill. Three nations in particular — China, Russia, and Iran — have used our lack of attention to arrogate power and influence to themselves. China, of course, is in a class by itself. Its size, wealth, and location would indicate to a sane administration that it needs close attention. While China acts in its own self-interests it doesn’t do so recklessly. What is more troubling is the pairing of Russia and Iran as allies in rolling back American influence. When coupled with Obama’s hubris and bonejarring naivete this alliance is potentially disastrous.
In 2009, the Obama administration decided, in its usual too-clever-by-half way, that Russia was a logical intermediary to negotiate with Iran to curtail their march towards status as a nuclear power.

In February, President Barack Obama sent a letter to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev seeking greater cooperation from Moscow for addressing concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The letter indicated that the U.S. deployment of a missile defense system in eastern Europe opposed by Russia would hinge on progress in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Responding to early press reports suggesting that the letter offered Moscow a trade of the missile defense system for cooperation on Iran, Obama clarified during a March 3 press conference that “what I said…was …read more

Christianity is a religion of the public square. Followers of Christ are called to glorify Him in all aspects of their life, including their vocation. In fact, Christians are to view their jobs as a ministry.

David and Barbara Green have done exactly that. They created a business called Hobby Lobby and they poured their hearts, their sweat, and their faith into it. They treat their employees vastly better than many similarly situated businesses. They pay more, close early so their employees can be with their families longer, and close on Sunday. They share their faith in their advertising and their store practices.

When the Obama Administration demanded the Green family pay for abortion causing drugs, the Green family refused. They live their faith through their business and their faith compels them to treat all life as sacred. So they fought in the name of religious liberty. They were joined by Anthony Hahn, whose father and uncle, Norman and Samuel Hahn, started Conestoga Wood Specialities. Like the Green family, the Hahn family believes it should model its faith in its business.

Today the Supreme Court handed down a verdict in their favor. The Supreme Court made clear the doctrine of vocation is alive and well and protected. Christians can live their faiths in the public square and in their businesses.

The Green family and the Hahn family fought and people of faith should thank them for their willingness to stand up for their faith.

13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.